Patents by Inventor Nicholas A. Oetken

Nicholas A. Oetken has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230117372
    Abstract: A working machine includes one or more batteries driving movement of the working machine within a work area. The working machine includes a controller configured to receive criteria relating to one or more operational characteristics of the working machine and determine one of a plurality of operation modes for the working machine based upon the criteria and a remaining charge of one or more batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Nicholas A. Oetken, Kenneth G. Jones, David Edwin Gerding
  • Publication number: 20230091591
    Abstract: A working machine includes an auxiliary system carried by the working machine, one or more batteries and an onboard thermal transfer system. The one or more batteries power an electrical system of the working machine. The onboard thermal transfer system utilizes a coolant configured to remove at least a portion of heat generated by the one or more batteries during charging or discharging of the one or more batteries and using the coolant heated by the thermal transfer system to heat the auxiliary system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Cary M. Bryant, Tyler S. Burger
  • Patent number: 11609322
    Abstract: A ground material density measurement system is disclosed. The ground material density measurement system may receive a moisture measurement associated with an amount of moisture on a ground surface of a section of ground material. The ground material density measurement system may determine a GPR measurement associated with the section of ground material. The ground material density measurement system may process the GPR measurement based on the moisture measurement to account for the amount of moisture. The ground material density measurement system may provide density information associated with the section of ground material based on the processed GPR measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Tod A. Oblak
  • Publication number: 20230078995
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may receive an input that indicates a proportion of a spray cycle in which a fluid spray system is to be active. The fluid spray system may include at least a first fluid pump configured to supply fluid to a first fluid spray bar and a second fluid pump configured to supply fluid to a second fluid spray bar. The controller may determine, in accordance with the proportion, a spraying timing for the first fluid pump and the second fluid pump that minimizes an overlap of an active time of the first fluid pump and an active time of the second fluid pump, and/or an overlap of an inactive time of the first fluid pump and an inactive time of the second fluid pump. The controller may cause activation of the first fluid pump and the second fluid pump in accordance with the spraying timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. OETKEN, Paul PETERSEN
  • Publication number: 20220407327
    Abstract: A fluid heating system for an electric work machine powered by a battery may include a fluid heater arranged and configured to heat fluid on the work machine and a control module configured to control fluid heating operations by controlling power to the fluid heater based on active operation of a battery charging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Oetken
  • Patent number: 11453983
    Abstract: A compactor vibration system, apparatus, and method that selectively provide access to vibration control settings. The control can include receiving a setting for a first set of selectable amplitudes of vibration force at which to operate a vibratory system for a first predetermined amount of time, operating the vibratory system during the first predetermined amount of time by inducing the vibration force at amplitudes by the vibratory system, wherein the amplitudes of the vibration force are selected from among the first set of selectable amplitudes, and after the first predetermined amount of time, changing the setting to a second set of selectable amplitudes of the vibration force that is different from the first set of selectable amplitudes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, John Lee Marsolek, Michael William Ries, Bryan J. Downing
  • Patent number: 11421390
    Abstract: An adjustable mass eccentric for a multi-amplitude vibratory mechanism can comprise a body and an internal cavity defined by the body such that the body surrounds the internal cavity. The internal cavity can include a first section, a second section, and a third section between the first section and the second section. The third section can define a volume and/or an area less than respective volumes and/or areas of the first section and the second section of the internal cavity. Filler material may be provided in the internal cavity and can migrate to and from the first, second, and third sections based on rotational movement of the body and internal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Todd A. Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell, Shannon G. Dudley
  • Publication number: 20220242232
    Abstract: According to one example, a system for control of a movement of a working vehicle within a work area is disclosed. The system can optionally include a steering system configured to direct the movement of the working vehicle, an object detection system, as speed sensor, and a controller. The object detection system can have one or more sensors configured to detect an object within the work area. The speed sensor can be configured to measure a speed of the working vehicle over a surface within the work area. The controller can be communicatively coupled to the steering system, the object detection system and the speed sensor. The controller can be configured to control the speed of the working vehicle based upon a steering angle of the working vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Todd A. Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell, John L. Marsolek
  • Patent number: 11345398
    Abstract: A machine that can comprise a steering system configured to direct movement of the machine and a control system operably coupled for communication with the steering system. The control system can comprise a grade sensor, and a controller configured to determine a slope from an uphill side of the machine to a downhill side of the machine based on sensed data from the grade sensor. The controller can be further configured to control the steering system to limit a turn radius of the machine toward the uphill side of the frame based on the determined slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Product Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Oetken
  • Publication number: 20220127797
    Abstract: An adjustable mass eccentric for a multi-amplitude vibratory mechanism can comprise a body and an internal cavity defined by the body such that the body surrounds the internal cavity. The internal cavity can include a first section, a second section, and a third section between the first section and the second section. The third section can define a volume and/or an area less than respective volumes and/or areas of the first section and the second section of the internal cavity. Filler material may be provided in the internal cavity and can migrate to and from the first, second, and third sections based on rotational movement of the body and internal cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. OETKEN, Todd A. IMPOLA, Timothy M. O'DONNELL, Shannon G. DUDLEY
  • Publication number: 20220025589
    Abstract: A compactor vibration system, apparatus, and method that selectively provide access to vibration control settings. The control can include receiving a setting for a first set of selectable amplitudes of vibration force at which to operate a vibratory system for a first predetermined amount of time, operating the vibratory system during the first predetermined amount of time by inducing the vibration force at amplitudes by the vibratory system, wherein the amplitudes of the vibration force are selected from among the first set of selectable amplitudes, and after the first predetermined amount of time, changing the setting to a second set of selectable amplitudes of the vibration force that is different from the first set of selectable amplitudes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, John Lee Marsolek, Michael William Ries, Bryan J. Downing
  • Patent number: 11144055
    Abstract: A system for controlling an autonomous construction vehicle includes a controller configured to identify a boundary of a construction site, identify a slope within the boundary of the construction site, determine if the slope exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and create a path plan for an autonomous construction vehicle based on whether the first slope exceeds the threshold value to align the movement of the autonomous construction vehicle with the slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Timothy M. O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20210276596
    Abstract: An autonomous machine control system is disclosed. The autonomous machine control system may include a controller configured to: cause an initiation of an autonomous mode of a machine, the autonomous mode providing automatic control of a propulsion operation, a steering operation, and a work operation of the machine; determine that automatic control of the work operation is to be disabled in the autonomous mode of the machine; and cause automatic control of the work operation to be disabled in the autonomous mode of the machine, while automatic control of the propulsion operation and the steering operation is enabled in the autonomous mode of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy O'DONNELL, Nicholas A OETKEN, Kyle HENDRICKS, Robert Jason MCGEE
  • Patent number: 11072892
    Abstract: A vibratory system for a compactor machine, the vibratory system optionally including a key shaft, an input shaft, a first output shaft and a second output shaft. The key shaft can have a first internal helically splined portion and a second internal helically splined portion. The first internal helically splined portion can be oppositely splined with respect to the second internal helically splined portion and arranged axially of the second internal helically splined portion. The input shaft can be configured with an external helically splined portion configured to be complimentary to the first internal helically splined portion of the key shaft. The first output shaft can be configured couple to the input shaft for rotation therewith. The second output shaft can have an external helically splined portion configured to be complimentary to the second internal helically splined portion of the key shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Todd A. Impola, Eric A. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20210215543
    Abstract: A method and system of verifying asphalt mat temperature values and location data generated by a paving machine includes identifying a location and temperature value of a threshold thermal characteristic of thermal data generated by the paving machine, and displaying the paver-generated location and temperature value of the threshold thermal characteristic on a display of the paving machine. The method further includes determining a location and temperature value of the threshold thermal characteristic by one or more external systems, and comparing the externally-determined location and temperature value to the paver-generated location and temperature value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. KEYES, Jacob J. MCALPINE, Nicholas A. OETKEN, John L. MARSOLEK
  • Publication number: 20210141080
    Abstract: A ground material density measurement system is disclosed. The ground material density measurement system may receive a moisture measurement associated with an amount of moisture on a ground surface of a section of ground material. The ground material density measurement system may determine a GPR measurement associated with the section of ground material. The ground material density measurement system may process the GPR measurement based on the moisture measurement to account for the amount of moisture. The ground material density measurement system may provide density information associated with the section of ground material based on the processed GPR measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. OETKEN, Tod A. OBLAK
  • Publication number: 20210123194
    Abstract: A vibratory system for a compactor machine, the vibratory system optionally including a key shaft, an input shaft, a first output shaft and a second output shaft. The key shaft can have a first internal helically splined portion and a second internal helically splined portion. The first internal helically splined portion can be oppositely splined with respect to the second internal helically splined portion and arranged axially of the second internal helically splined portion. The input shaft can be configured with an external helically splined portion configured to be complimentary to the first internal helically splined portion of the key shaft. The first output shaft can be configured couple to the input shaft for rotation therewith. The second output shaft can have an external helically splined portion configured to be complimentary to the second internal helically splined portion of the key shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Todd A. Impola, Eric A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 10961666
    Abstract: A system for distributing a material over a surface includes a sensor configured to transmit a sonic signal from a position on the system to a surface of a quantity of the material. The system also includes a device to project an image onto the surface of the quantity of the material. The device is adjustable in relation to the sensor to cause the image to have a specified shape when the sonic signal impacts the surface of the quantity of the material at a specified angle, and a different shape when the sonic signal impacts the surface of the quantity of the material at different angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Oetken
  • Patent number: 10920380
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling tire air pressure of a compactor having a plurality of tires. A weight distribution of the compactor is determined according to a per-tire basis. Target air pressures for each of the tires are determined in order to achieve a consistent compaction surface contact pressure across all of the tires or a set of the tires. Air pressure of the tires is controlled to achieve the target air pressures to make the compaction surface contact pressure consistent across all of the tires or the set of the tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Maria L. Biberdorf, Brian D. Nagel, Nicholas A. Oetken
  • Publication number: 20200392676
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling tire air pressure of a compactor having a plurality of tires. A weight distribution of the compactor is determined according to a per-tire basis. Target air pressures for each of the tires are determined in order to achieve a consistent compaction surface contact pressure across all of the tires or a set of the tires. Air pressure of the tires is controlled to achieve the target air pressures to make the compaction surface contact pressure consistent across all of the tires or the set of the tires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Maria L. Biberdorf, Brian D. Nagel, Nicholas A. Oetken